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Don’t lose our midwives

I have read a number of letters to the editor and I have heard many viewpoints concerning the potential loss of physician coverage for the three nurse/midwives.

One point continues to be overlooked in arguments I have heard so far. Behind each statistic and each patient chart is a woman who stands to lose her choice of care provider.

Linda Vieira, Teresa Hall and Carole Moran have built a practice that has been open continuously for 25 years. This midwifery practice has delivered over half the babies born at our local hospital during this time.



It has maintained its good reputation and large constituency because of the compassion, professionalism and competency of the three dedicated practitioners. In addition, the clinic for indigent and low-income patients has been in operation for well over 25 years.

These midwives who have provided their services at discounted rates, staff the clinic. They speak Spanish in order to better assess patient needs and to provide optimal care. They have served their patients well, providing two generations of local women with excellent care.




I have heard women in discussions many times over these last several weeks saying, “I don’t know why this issue is affecting me so strongly.” The answer may well be that their right to determine their most personal type of health care is in jeopardy of being taken away.

I am writing to urge all parties interested in this issue to work diligently toward the goal of assuring that the Aspen Center for Women’s Health will continue to keep its doors open.

If you have concerns about this issue, there is a meeting of the hospital board on Monday, at 5 p.m. at AVH.

Barbara Reid

Aspen